The following day, Chen Dechang was forced to kneel at the feet of Xiao Xuan and Ning Yin by several eunuchs.

He was still puzzled as to why His Highness and His Majesty were treating him so rudely.

He placed his hands on the ground and kowtowed to the two of them, then said in a soft, effeminate voice, "Your Highness, Your Majesty, I wonder what crime this old servant has committed?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly, then turned his head to look at Ning Yin, who remained expressionless, and his face turned cold.

"Chen Dechang, although you are an old servant of the Eastern Palace and have helped me manage the Eastern Palace in an orderly manner, that does not give you the right to disregard human life. You secretly beat Bai Meng to death behind my back. Do you know your crime!"

Xiao Xuan's voice was cold and terrifying. He slammed his hand on the table, and Chen Dechang's heart clenched in fright. He hurriedly kowtowed to the two of them several more times.

“Your Highness, Your Majesty, that was not my original intention. It was just that Bai Meng disobeyed the imperial decree and refused to leave the palace, so I thought I would teach him a lesson. But who knew that Bai Meng was so weak? He lost consciousness after being punished twice. I thought he must have some serious illness.”

Chen Dechang, as expected of a veteran in the palace, was extremely eloquent in defending himself, shifting all the blame onto the deceased.

Upon hearing this, Ning Yin glanced coldly at Chen Dechang on the ground, picked up her teacup, and took a sip of Pu'er tea.

He said calmly, “Your Highness, the person is dead, so let him spout nonsense. But I heard that you went to Bai Meng to get medicine before, and you complained that the medicine Bai Meng gave you was too ordinary and wanted to use some better medicine, but he refused to pay more money. You argued with Bai Meng about this and even used your power to oppress him, saying that you would kill him sooner or later. Did you, Chen Dechang, say these things?”

Chen Dechang originally thought that as long as he relied on his position in the Eastern Palace and his hard work, he could easily find an excuse to get away with this. Who would have thought that the Crown Princess would investigate his private affairs so thoroughly?

That day, he didn't originally intend to kill Bai Meng, but when he thought about how this kid was so stubborn and unwilling to listen to reason, and how even lowly servants were thinking of snatching people from His Highness, what was he? Just because his lower body was more intact than his own, he dared to do this?

He didn't even consider his own status. Even though he was a eunuch, he was still far more noble than Bai Meng. He originally wanted to prescribe some nourishing remedies to see if they could help.

However, Bai Meng and the other imperial physicians clearly showed disdain and disgust. As the Grand Eunuch of the Eastern Palace, and a future favorite of the emperor, how could he tolerate such treatment?

And so, Chen Dechang used his position to settle a personal score, venting all his anger in the name of His Highness.

He thought that with his status, no one would know if he killed a lowly imperial physician, but who knew that things would escalate to this point.

After hearing Ning Yin's words, Chen Dechang opened his mouth, wanting to tell her about how Bai Meng and the others looked down on him, but that would be too shameful. Even though he was a eunuch, he still had some pride.

He was certain that His Highness the Crown Prince would remember their past relationship and spare him this time.

So Chen Dechang kowtowed to the two men again, and then said aggrievedly, "Your Highness, this servant really did not mean to kill him. It's just that this boy was too bold and had inappropriate thoughts. This servant has already tried to persuade him with kind words, but he doesn't take your orders seriously at all. This servant had no choice but to resort to this tactic to scare him."

"You say you beat someone until their intestines came out, and you call that scaring them? Chen Dechang, relying on my trust in you, you've truly become lawless! Guards, drag Chen Dechang out and give him fifty strokes of the cane, and remove him from his position as Grand Steward of the Eastern Palace. If he survives, throw him into the slave camp; if he doesn't, throw him into the mass grave!"

When Xiao Xuan uttered these words, Chen Dechang could no longer hold back, and his face turned pale with fright.

"Your Highness, please spare this servant! Please spare this servant! This servant has served you for so long, and even if I haven't done anything meritorious, I have certainly worked hard for you! Your Highness, Your Highness!"

Tears streamed down Chen Dechang's face. Seeing that the Crown Prince had no reaction, he glared fiercely at Ning Yin with his sunken eyes.

"Your Majesty, are you truly without guilt regarding your affair with Bai Meng? You have acted lawlessly, relying on His Highness's favor, while His Highness has been devoted to you, even sending another woman to perform the sacrificial ceremony in your place. For your safety, he has not hesitated to oppose the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. And what about you? You have been speaking up for that pretty boy all along. Doesn't your conscience hurt? Even if I die, I will speak these words!"

Xiao Xuan, not wanting Chen Dechang to continue his nonsense in the hall, waved his hand at the two eunuchs, "Drag him away immediately!"

Chen Dechang was trembling all over. If it weren't for the two eunuchs supporting him, his old, cold legs would have almost given way.

In fact, Xiao Xuan knew that Chen Dechang could endure the fifty lashes, but he would never keep such a lackey. He relied on his power to flaunt his authority, bully others, and was simply lawless.

Soon, Chen Dechang's shrill screams came from outside. He had been hit with fifty strokes of the cane, and his voice became increasingly faint as the blows continued.

When the unconscious Chen Dechang was dragged out of the East Palace, Ning Yin finally showed a hint of emotion. Bai Meng's revenge had finally been achieved.

She picked up her teacup again and took a sip. Then she stood up and bowed to Xiao Xuan. "Thank you, Your Highness, for seeking justice for the deceased. But Bai Meng and I are absolutely innocent. Even in my heart, there is no place for Bai Meng. My heart has always been with Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will never do such a disregard for human life again."

Xiao Xuan originally wanted to help Ning Yin up. Since they became husband and wife, they had never had such a distant relationship as sovereign and subject. But now, why was Ning Yin calling him Your Highness? He didn't want their relationship to become so distant, and he didn't want Ning Yin to hold a grudge against him.

His heart ached slightly, and his eyes held a dark and unfathomable expression. After a pause, he stood up and pulled her into his arms. "A-Ning, call me husband. Let's put this matter behind us, okay? I'll manage my subordinates better from now on."